Hypothalamic CRF neurons facilitate brain reward function

Lycium barbarum polysaccharide ameliorates corticosterone-induced cognition decline with modulation of CRHR1

BACKGROUND

Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation and anti-aging properties, but the mechanism of LBP on stress-induced cognitive dysfunction caused by elevated GC level is still unclear.

OBJECTIVES

Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the mechanism of LBP on corticosterone-injected（CORT-injected） cognitive impairment.

METHODS

The rat model was induced by corticosterone in vivo. Water maze test and HE staining were used to observe the effect of LBP on cognitive function and brain morphology in CORT-injected rats. RT-qPCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence were used to detect the expression of proteins. SH-SY5Y cells were treated with CORT and D-gal in vitro, respectively. The effect of LBP on cell proliferation was observed, and western blotting was detected in the protein expressions.

RESULTS

In this study, LBP treatment ameliorated CORT-induced learning and cognitive function and protected hypothalamic and hippocampal neurons from injury in vivo. In addition, LBP reduced plasma corticosterone concentrations in CORT-injected rats. The results also indicated that LBP enhanced the expression of synapsis-related proteins PSD95 and SYN by up-regulating the expression of CRHR1 and RGS2 in the hippocampus and hypothalamus of the model group. Meanwhile, we confirmed that LBP enhanced CORT - and D-Gal-induced proliferation of SH-SY5Y cells in vitro, and further verified the expression changes of CRHR1, RGS2, and synapse-related proteins.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that LBP ameliorated CORT-induced cognition decline by regulating CRHR1. Therefore, LBP may represent a potential drug for the prevention of cognition dysfunction in patients caused by increased GCs.

The Hypothalamic Medial Preoptic Area-Paraventricular Nucleus Circuit Modulates Depressive-Like Behaviors in a Mouse Model of Postpartum Depression

Estrogen fluctuations have been implicated in various mood disorders, including perimenopausal and postpartum depression (PPD), likely through complex neural networks. γ-aminobutyric acid-ergic (GABAergic) neurons in the medial preoptic area (MPOA) that express estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) are essential for the development and expression of depressive-like behaviors in ovarian hormone withdrawal (HW) mice. However, the precise circuit mechanisms through which MPOA GABAergic neurons influence behavior remain incompletely understood. Here, we identified robust projections from MPOA GABAergic neurons to the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN). In HW mice, chemogenetic activation of MPOA GABAergic neurons targeting PVN attenuated depressive-like behaviors. Conversely, in nonhormone withdrawal (NHW) control mice (which received continuous estrogen), suppression of MPOA GABAergic projections to PVN exacerbated depressive-like behaviors. Further analyses using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunostaining identified arginine vasopressin (AVP) as a key neuropeptide in this pathway in the HW mouse model. Chemogenetic inhibition of PVNAVP neurons significantly alleviated depressive-like behaviors in HW mice, while their activation in NHW mice worsened depressive-like behaviors. These behaviors were dependent on AVP expression in PVNAVP neurons. Moreover, in HW mice, chemogenetic inhibition of PVNAVP neurons receiving MPOA input mitigated depressive-like behaviors. Conversely, in NHW mice, activation of these neurons exacerbated depressive-like behaviors. Electrophysiological recordings demonstrated that MPOA GABAergic neurons directly inhibit PVNAVP neurons. Thus, our findings suggest that PVNAVP neurons serve as downstream effectors of MPOA GABAergic neurons via monosynaptic inhibitory signaling to regulate depressive-like behaviors. Targeting this circuit may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for PPD.

Combined medetomidine, midazolam, and butorphanol anesthesia in mice has a central stress-relieving effect similar to that of isoflurane anesthesia

Although the combination of medetomidine, midazolam, and butorphanol (Me/Mi/Bu) is a commonly used surgical anesthetic for small laboratory animals, the effects of Me/Mi/Bu on the central nervous system remain to be confirmed, and some researchers have questioned the use of Me/Mi/Bu as a surgical anesthetic. Herein we employed cFos-immunohistochemistry to assess the stress-relieving effects of Me/Mi/Bu and isoflurane on the murine brain in response to restraint stress. The results demonstrated that the number of cFos-immunopositive cells in the paraventricular nucleus was significantly lower in the mice anesthetized with Me/Mi/Bu or isoflurane compared to those that were not anesthetized. These findings suggest that Me/Mi/Bu exerts an effect on the brain that is similar to that of isoflurane in alleviating the response to surgical procedures.

The paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus: a key node in the control of behavioural states

The paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus contains diverse populations of neuropeptide-producing neurons. These include neurons that synthesise oxytocin, vasopressin, corticotropin-releasing hormone, thyrotropin-releasing hormone and somatostatin. While it is well established that these neurons control the secretion of neuroendocrine hormones, there is growing evidence that they also control the expression of important homeostatic behaviours. Here we review recent data showing a critical role of PVN neurons in controlling arousal, social behaviour, defensive behaviour and pain. Collectively, this suggests that the PVN is a key node in a wider neural network controlling behavioural states.

Rikkunshito improves anorexia through ghrelin- and orexin-dependent activation of the brain hypothalamus and mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway in rats

BACKGROUND

Rikkunshito (RKT), a traditional Japanese medicine, can relieve epigastric discomfort and anorexia in patients with functional dyspepsia. RKT enhances the orexigenic hormone, ghrelin. Ghrelin regulates food motivation by stimulating the appetite control center in the hypothalamus and the brain mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway (MDPW). However, the effect of RKT on MDPW remains unclear. Here, we aimed to investigate the central neural mechanisms underlying the orexigenic effects of RKT, focusing on the MDPW.

METHODS

We examined the effects of RKT on food intake and neuronal c-Fos expression in restraint stress- and cholecystokinin octapeptide-induced anorexia in male rats.

KEY RESULTS

RKT treatment significantly restored stress- and cholecystokinin octapeptide-induced decreased food intake. RKT increased c-Fos expression in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), especially in tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive neurons, and nucleus accumbens (NAc). The effects of RKT were suppressed by the ghrelin receptor antagonist [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6. RKT increased the number of c-Fos/orexin-double-positive neurons in the lateral hypothalamus (LH), which project to the VTA. The orexin receptor antagonist, SB334867, suppressed RKT-induced increase in food intake and c-Fos expression in the LH, VTA, and NAc. RKT increased c-Fos expression in the arcuate nucleus and nucleus of the solitary tract of the medulla, which was inhibited by [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

RKT may restore appetite in subjects with anorexia through ghrelin- and orexin-dependent activation of neurons regulating the brain appetite control network, including the hypothalamus and MDPW.

Nucleus Accumbens Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone Neurons Projecting to the Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis Promote Wakefulness and Positive Affective State

The nucleus accumbens (NAc) plays an important role in various emotional and motivational behaviors that rely on heightened wakefulness. However, the neural mechanisms underlying the relationship between arousal and emotion regulation in NAc remain unclear. Here, we investigated the roles of a specific subset of inhibitory corticotropin-releasing hormone neurons in the NAc (NAcCRH) in regulating arousal and emotional behaviors in mice. We found an increased activity of NAcCRH neurons during wakefulness and rewarding stimulation. Activation of NAcCRH neurons converts NREM or REM sleep to wakefulness, while inhibition of these neurons attenuates wakefulness. Remarkably, activation of NAcCRH neurons induces a place preference response (PPR) and decreased basal anxiety level, whereas their inactivation induces a place aversion response and anxious state. NAcCRH neurons are identified as the major NAc projection neurons to the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). Furthermore, activation of the NAcCRH-BNST pathway similarly induced wakefulness and positive emotional behaviors. Taken together, we identified a basal forebrain CRH pathway that promotes the arousal associated with positive affective states.

Modulating reward and aversion: Insights into addiction from the paraventricular nucleus

BACKGROUND

Drug addiction, characterized by compulsive drug use and high relapse rates, arises from complex interactions between reward and aversion systems in the brain. The paraventricular nucleus (PVN), located in the anterior hypothalamus, serves as a neuroendocrine center and is a key component of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.

OBJECTIVE

This review aimed to explore how the PVN impacts reward and aversion in drug addiction through stress responses and emotional regulation and to evaluate the potential of PVN as a therapeutic target for drug addiction.

METHODS

We review the current literature, focusing on three main neuron types in the PVN-corticotropin-releasing factor, oxytocin, and arginine vasopressin neurons-as well as other related neurons, to understand their roles in modulating addiction.

RESULTS

Existing studies highlight the PVN as a key mediator in addiction, playing a dual role in reward and aversion systems. These findings are crucial for understanding addiction mechanisms and developing targeted therapies.

CONCLUSION

The role of PVN in stress response and emotional regulation suggests its potential as a therapeutic target in drug addiction, offering new insights for addiction treatment.

Neuroscience of reward: Paradoxical roles for corticotrophin-releasing factor

The brain has long been known to control stress and reward through complex and interconnected circuitry. A new study now reveals a group of hypothalamic neurons that paradoxically mediate both reward and aversion.